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last, those whom I so eagerly sought for, on the peak of
Bhawanee Giree, and learning from them various othkr
systems and modes of Yoga, It was in the year of Samvat
1911, that I first joined in the Kumbh Mella at Hardwar,
where so many sages and divine philosophers meet, often
unperceived, together. So long as the Mella congregation of
pilgrims lasted. I kept practicing that science in the solitude
of the jungle of Chandee ; and after the pilgrims had separated,
I transferred myself to Rishikesh, where sometimes in the
company of good and pure Yogis and Sanyasis, oftener alone, I
continued in the study and practice of Yoga.
Visit to Tehri
After passing a certain time in solitude, on the Rishikesh,
a Brahmachari and two mountain ascetics joined me, and we all
three went to Tehri. The place was full of ascetics and Raj
(Royal) pandits—so called on account of their great learning.
One of them invited me to come and have dinner with him at
his house. At the appointed hour he sent a man to conduct
me safely to his place, and both the Brahmachari and myself
followed the messenger. But what was our dismay upon
entering the house, to first see a Brahmin preparing and cutting
meat, and then, proceeding fu ther into the interior apartments,
to find a large company of pandits seated with a pyramid of
flesh, rump-steaks, and dressed-up heads of animals before
them ! The master of the house cordially invited me in ; but,
with a few brief words—begging them to proceed with their
good work and not to disturb themselves on my account, I left
the house and returned to my own quarters. A few minutes
later the beef eating pandit was at my side praying me to
return, and trying to excuse himself by saying that it was on
my account that the sumptuous viands had been prepared !I
then firmly declared to him that it was all useless. They were
carnivorous, fiesh-eating men, and myself a strict vegetarian,
who felt sickened at the very sight of meat. If be would
insist upon providing me with food. he might do so by sending
me a few provisions of grain and vegetables which my Brahma-
chari would prepare for me. This he promised to do, and
then, very much cunfused, retired,
Warn Marg or Indian Bacchanalianism
Staying at Tehri for some time, I inquired of the same